How Much Do We Need to Help The Poor Person?

In today's "Random Torah," we take a look at a ruling in the Shulchan Aruch concerning the obligation to give. How much should we give someone who is lacking?

There's a "funny thing" about society, that those who are a part of it tend to look down on those who lack. When the poor man asks for help, he is often met with a barrage of questions as to how in the world he ever got himself into his current predicament. Yet others don't believe him altogether. It cannot be that someone doesn't have - they say. Some simply push him off with the excuse "There is no money in the world. We're all struggling. Nobody has any money." Yet others recommend he seek psychological help for his problem. And then there are many who even tell others that the reason he is poor is because that is the lifestyle he wants to live. He wants to live on the street and do without food. And so the damaging, painful and humiliating list continues. Indeed, if he would only be in touch with the real "helpful" social workers, he would get back on his feet to where he should be and he'd never have to ask for another dime in his life. But he refuses to follow protocol and so - nebach - he has nothing.

13 Nissan - Yahrtzeit of Rabbi Yosef Karo - Author of the Shulchan Aruch

The 13th Nissan (today) is the Yahrtzeit of one of the key pillars of the entire Jewish nation - Rabbi Yosef Karo (1488-1575). Born in Spain - fleeing with his family at the age of 4 due to the Spanish Expulsion - Rabbi Yosef Karo would go on to become one of the outstanding giants in Torah, producing a complete commentary on the Rambam's Halachic work - the Yad Hachazakah - which he called the Kesef Mishnah, thereafter doing a complete commentary on the four sections of Halachah (Jewish law) of the Tur (Rabbi Yaakov ben HaRosh - Rabbi Asher) entitled the Beis Yosef, and thereafter compiling all his encyclopaedic knowledge of every single area of Halachah - into his main work called the Shulchan Aruch (the Laid Table) - because indeed, he lays out the laws much like a table is laid out with everything in its place!

A point that many do not know is that Rabbi Karo was also a kabbalist of the highest order - living at the same time as the great Arizal (who was 46 years his junior!) in Safed. The Golden Age of Safed!

Rabbi Karo had a Maggid (an angel) teach him Torah as he drifted off into Innerspace while reciting various Mishnayot. It was in fact the Mishnah itself that would speak to him - teaching him the secrets of Torah. However, be that as it may - he was not on the level of the Arizal in terms of his knowledge of Kabbalah and had in fact asked the Ari to teach him.

The Ari (being privy to the secrets of souls and other mysterious things of life and Creation, knew well that the soul of Rabbi Yosef Karo was not suitable for those deepest of secrets. He told him so, but Rabbi Yosef refused to listen - imploring the Ari to teach him anyway!

The Ari told him that he should sit under a particular tree at a particular point in time... If he should see the Ari walking by him then, it was a sign he could learn the secrets, and the Ari would be prepared to teach him. The day arrived, and Rabbi Yosef did as the Ari instructed, but moments before the Ari walked by, he fell into a deep sleep - waking up only a few minutes later after the Ari had already passed!

In fact, Rabbi Yosef became an in-law to the Ari with their children marrying each other. (For those wondering about their difference in age, Rabbi Yosef Karo married three times in his life and fathered a child when much older - who married the Ari's son/daughter (I forget whose son married whose daughter!)

Many of the Ari's descendants are known today, but I am not sure who the descendants are of Rabbi Yosef Karo.

You can find out more about this great man and his works by seeing the Wikipedia: 

Rabbi Yosef Karo's contribution was so invaluable to the Jewish people that it is practically impossible to speak about Jewish law today without mentioning the Shulchan Aruch! It is studied every single day by almost all observant Jews (or those who value the importance of Jewish law - any way!)

In order to obtain Rabbinical Ordination, one must be knowledgeable in a variety of areas in the Shulchan Aruch - as well as one knows the back of one's palms! This excludes the need to know the major commentaries that accompany the essential text of the Shulchan Aruch (and of course all the material that actually precedes the coding of the law as detailed in the SA.) In particular, the rabbinical student must learn the laws of Kashrut - the laws of forbidden mixtures, salting meat in order to Kasher it as well as the laws of the forbidden mixture of meat and milk.

Those furthering their studies will also learn the important areas of the SA including the laws of Shabbat, Mikvaot, Niddah, Shaatnez, immersing vessels in a Mikvah, the laws of interest (charging interest to a Jew is forbidden by another Jew,) laws of daily life, Eiruvin, mourning, laws of Pesach and dozens of other topics afterwards.

One who is a master of the entire Shulchan Aruch can truly call himself a Rabbi in every sense of the word - but sadly, there are not many who reach this goal in its entirety due to the enormous amount of material to learn... and hence why many spend their entire days devoted to learning Torah - day and night - night and day.

This - of course, excludes the time invested in learning the Arizal's works, the Zohar and all the material associated with the hidden Torah.

The Torah of Hashem is perfect, restoring the soul. The testimonies of Hashem (G-d) are faithful, making the simple wise. (Psalms 19:7)

If you'd like to purchase a copy of the book - "Maggid Mesharim" (English translation) which includes the teachings that the angel taught Rabbi Yosef Karo, contact Reb Eliyahu today - for all your Torah book needs!

Rabbi Yoel Sirkes - the Bayit Chadash (Bach)

Rabbi Yoel Sirkes (1561-20 Adar 1640) was known as the Bayit Chadash or better - the BaCh after the major commentary he wrote on the Arba'a Turim (the Tur - written by Rabbi Yaakov ben Rabbeinu Asher - the Rosh.) His commentary can be found on the outside of every page of the Tur.

The Tur is one of the most basic Halachic texts dealing with all aspects of Halacha as relevant today. The Tur takes into account the most essential Halachic opinions up until his day and reflects his final opinion in his own code. As the years moved on, two very important Halachic commentaries were added to the Tur - that of Rabbi Yosef Karo (1488-1565) known in his commentary as the Beis Yosef (House of Joesph) and also known as the author of the Shulchan Aruch and later the Bach (Bayit Chadash - the New House) - Rabbi Yoel Sirkes. The Beis Yosef details the opinions of hundreds of Rishonim (early codifiers of Halacha) as he examines every single Halacha as brought in the Tur. Later he compiled his Magnum Opus Shulchan Aruch giving a final verdict as to the opinion to follow after his immense analysis of the different opinions in the Beis Yosef.

Rabbi Srikes was not happy with the final opinion ruling system as he felt it would detract from people learning the codes as they appear in their original form. He therefore wrote his own commentary - the New House (as opposed to the House of Josef - the Beis Yosef) and then hoped all would come to learn the codes as they appear through the original opinions and analysis.

The Bach was an adherent to Kabbalah and he opposed the type of study known as Pilpul. He was also the father-in-law of the Taz (Rabbi Dovid HaLevy Segal), who wrote a major commentary on the Shulchan Aruch and who often cites his father-in-law (whether in agreement or even in sharp disagreement!)

He is considered one of the most basic and powerful leading Halachic authorities in all matters of Torah law today.

Yahrtzeit of Rabbi Chizkiyahu da Silva - the Pri Chadash

Hezekiah da Silva (also Hezekiah Silva) (1659–1698) (Hebrew: חזקיה בן דוד די סילוא) was a Jewish author born at Livorno, Italy, son-in-law of the Dayan Mordecai Befael Malachi. About 1679 he left his native city for Jerusalem, Palestine, where he attended the Yeshivah of Moses Galante, and ten years later he was sent to Europe to collect funds for Jerusalem. In 1691 he was in Amsterdam and began the printing of his work Peri Hadash (פרי חדש), a commentary on the Yoreh De'ah. He remained in that city for a year. Five years later he was again at Jerusalem, his movements in the interim being unknown. He took a decided interest in the controversy of Moses Hagiz against Judah Vega, but his death in Jerusalem in 1698 cut short his activity in behalf of the former.

The freedom with which Silva discussed Halachic problems brought the ban of the rabbis of Cairo upon his Peri Ḥadash, but it was afterward removed by Abraham Levi, although the two men, spiritually akin, were personally unacquainted. This work of Silva's was supplemented by a second and a third part, both edited by his son David, and bearing the approbation of the chief authorities of the time (Amsterdam, 1706–1730). Silva was likewise the author of the Mayim Ḥayyim, containing a collection of notes on Talmudic treatises, together with responsa and a portion of the Yad of Maimonides.

Silva expressly states that he was a teacher at Jerusalem, not a rabbi, but despite this statement Luncz claims that he waschief rabbi of Jerusalem and that he died in 1740.

His Yahrtzeit is 29 Kisleiv.

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Executive Committee of the Editorial Board and Lazarus Grünhut (1901–1906). "Silva, Hezekiah". Jewish Encyclopedia.

26 Shevat - Yahrtzeit of the Taz - Rabbi Dovid HaLevy Segal

The 26 Shevat marks the Yahrtzeit – day of the anniversary of the passing of that outstanding Rabbi known as the Taz – Rabbi Dovid HaLevi Segal (1586-1667.) He was known as the TaZ after the name of the commentary he wrote on the Shulchan Aruch – the Turei Zahav. The Shulchan Aruch is of course the most authoritative classical text available for the purposes of Jewish law written by Rabbi Yosef Karo (1488-1575.) The Taz – together with the ShaCh – Rabbi Shabbtai HaKohen (1621-1662) are by far the most influential commentaries on certain sections of the Shulchan Aruch and form the basis of any rabbi's main learning done today before obtaining his final Semicha – rabbinical ordination.

It is impossible to explain to anyone not familiar with the Shulchan Aruch, the depths of Jewish law that the Shulchan Aruch goes to in covering every area of Torah. If that isn't enough, it is beyond impossible to share with someone unfamiliar with learning the Acharonim – the main codifiers of Jewish law from the time of the Shulchan Aruch onwards – the depths to which these codifiers go to in clarifying the actual law as laid down by the Shulchan Aruch itself.

It would perhaps be an understatement to say that the latter commentators are completely familiar – to the degree of mastering the main texts off-by-heart – with every single word of the Shulchan Aruch (and other main Halachic works). Before putting pen to paper, these outstanding men were completely fluent with understanding the fullness of Jewish law to knowing how to be able to learn out any area of Jewish law that would come their way. The truly outstanding of the most outstanding – the crème-de-la-crème of Torah scholarship!

Learning these great authorities (especially in-depth) comes to dazzle one's mind at the thought processes that must take place before deciding upon a Jewish law. Don't imagine that the Taz sat and learned day and night without distraction however. In 1648-1649 the Taz had to flee the massacres of the Cossak insurrection under Chmielnicki. In the last days of his life, he lost two of sons – Mordechai and Solomon who were killed in the riots in Lemberg in 1664. He had also lost his wife long before this – and remarried.

Amazingly – the Taz is the ancestor of the well known Paltrowitch family. Gwyneth Paltrow is in fact one his descendants (though I cannot testify to her being Jewish.) Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords is also a descendant. 

One wonders at the levels of humility and modesty that such giants behaved with during their lives. One of the most wonderful stories I have read about the Taz goes like this:

During the years 1648-1649 (see above) most of the inhabitants of the city where the Taz lived were murdered. He fled for his life with his wife. The Taz had strong faith and trusted that whatever G-d does is for the best – He has his own plans! Now, the Taz would be able to (finally) learn Torah fleeing from honour and learning in poverty. The Taz told his wife not to tell anybody who he was, in order that he could continue to learn privately and to toil in Torah with all his strength.

One day the Taz noticed that his wife was sad as they did not have enough money to pay their debts to their neighbours who had lent them money and so she had become embarrassed even to go outside!

The Taz decided to hire himself out as a "Menaker" – someone skilled and knowledgeable in the laws of removing the various forbidden fats and veins. It didn't take the Shochtim (the slaughterers) long to realise that the man attending to the removals of these forbidden items was in fact rather learned in the laws of Treifos (animals unfit for consumption due to a particular problem usually found after the Shechita process.) The Shochtim brought before the Taz a particular animal that had a problem with it's lung and asked him for his decision as to whether the animal was Kosher or Treif. Here they saw before them a real Talmid Chacham – a true student and expert of Torah law and they would bring him all their questions!

Some two weeks later, the main Rav of the area noticed that nobody would bring him their questions on Shechita any longer. He enquired and found that the "new Menaker" was the cause of all these problems! With this, the assistant to the Rav took his opportunity on one occasion and grabbed the Taz and brought him to a Din Torah – a Jewish court case, so as to put him on trial – and probably tell him just exactly where his place was! Seven of the prominent members of the community would deal with him!

After a short discussion, they brought the Taz to the main box, as everyone in the community now had the opportunity to meet this man so filled with Chutzpah as to take questions from the Shochtim and answer them himself – when the main Rav was quite capable of handling things on his own!

Shortly thereafter, a young girl arrived with a question for the Rav concerning a chicken. The Rav gave his ruling that the chicken was Assur – forbidden to eat. In those days of course – a chicken that would be called Treif and forbidden would be a huge expense for the family involved. This may well have been their only piece of meat for the entire month – if not longer! Today the rulings of saving another Jew from a loss of money apply no less than in those days – but to pronounce such a verdict then meant a huge loss for the family concerned!

As the young girl left and past the main box area where the Taz was standing she began to cry loudly. One could hear her distress and pain that she would now have to throw away the family's main meal for the next week! The Taz turned to her and asked her to show him the chicken before throwing it away. After a short investigation, the Taz ruled that the chicken was Kosher – not just regular Kosher, but Mehadrin – fulfilling all the necessary requirements beyond just being acceptable.

He then told the young girl that she should return to the Rav and tell him to "Look in the Taz (i.e. his own commentary!) in such-and-such a place." The girl returned and told the Rav what the "Chutzpadikker Menaker" had told her. The Rav looked into the Taz and saw that indeed the Taz ruled exactly as this "Chutpadikker" man had said! He then turned to the girl and asked, "Who revealed to you this particular Taz?!" The girl replied, "The man who everyone is embarrassing at the moment." Then the Rav realised that the man that he had called, "a teacher of Jewish law in front of his Rabbi (something forbidden)," was nobody else – other than the Taz himself! And obviously he asked the Taz's forgiveness.

"I take the guilt upon myself. I chose to conceal my identity and everything is forgiven you," said the Taz. "Indeed I had planned to live the remainder of my life in private – and so that I could then rise up to higher levels. But once I saw the tears of the young girl, I became afraid that perhaps all my service to G-d would not be worth anything if I would hide from the tears of a young girl!"

Such were the words of the Taz. Such was his life. Such was his greatness! An amazing story and an amazing authority in Jewish law.

The Taz was the son-in-law of the Bach – the Bayit Chadash – Rabbi Yoel Sirkes (1561-1640) – prominent commentator on the Tur written by Rabbi Yaakov ben Asher (1270-1340) the son of the Rosh – Rabbeinu Asher (1250-1327.) 

The Vaad Arbah HaArtzot (Community of the Four Lands) decided to follow Jewish law in accordance with the Taz. As the years passed, however, the opinion of the Shach (whose Yahrtzeit falls out in the same week – 2 Adar) was accepted as being the norm for Jewish Halacha.

The Taz's shul in Lviv was kept up until the period of the holocaust when it was destroyed by the Nazis Yimach Shmam. His grave in the Jewish cemetery in Lviv was desecrated by the Soviet government, and a market place was set up to cover the entire are of the Jewish cemetery! No Jewish effort has ever succeeded until today to redeem the place of his burial and to establish the monument of his grave anew.

Legend has it that 200 years after the death of the Taz, his grave was accidentally opened – revealing his body completely intact!

Make sure you own a Shulchan Aruch today. Make sure to study his holy words. And if you cannot study them yourself or need assistance, consider sponsoring another to learn these holy words either together with you – or by themselves.

Steady Learning... Become a Posek in 5 Years!

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BECOME A POSEK IN 5 YEARS!

So you're serious about learning?! You may well have come to the conclusion that there are two main components to Torah – Aggadata and Halacha. There certainly is more to it than that, but these two areas give one a good idea of the fullness of Torah.

The Aggadata are the stories that one finds scattered throughout the Gemara etc. Though they may seem like fables of sorts, in actuality they contain the deepest secrets of the universe. Those with a love for superficiality will think that the stories in the Aggadata are no better than "Jack and the Beanstalk" and the like. Stories filled with fantasy at the best of times, and just good general living guidance at others. Those who realise that every word in the Torah (Gemara included) are completely G‑d given, will surely realise that these stories can be compared to the most outer garments of the king (King).

Those whose lives are superficial tend to think the king is all about a crown on some man's head, some elegant and royal garments, together with the best of gold, silver and diamonds that money can buy! Those who understand that the king is actually a somebody, know full well that the external garments are nothing more than a hint at the real person inside. If one really wants to know more about the king, it may take a lifetime of effort to become more acquainted with the real person – the real soul – behind the garments.

With all the fun and stories out the way – together with the deepest secrets of life itself, there is the other important area of Torah – the Halacha. The Halacha – from the word "Holech" meaning "going" is the actual rules of how to go about living one's life. When it comes to waking up in the morning, what must be done?! What about when one gets dressed – are there laws to this to?! What about walking and the clothes one wears – are there specific rules to this too?! Then there are the holy days of the year, the Shabbat and festivals. There are laws that apply to eating and drinking. There are laws regarding honest business dealings. Laws for marriage and married life. In fact, there are laws for every single second of the day. Some people (Tzaddikim) are aware of every second of the day – making sure to utilise it so that that moment is engaged in the fulfilment of G-d's will. Others are less "enthusiastic" about things, but are still very serious about fulfilling G-d's will whenever they know more about it. They are careful with eating kosher, observing the holy days etc., though they may not quite know the intricacies of serving G-d every single second of the day!

The Shulchan Aruch – written by Rabbi Yosef Karo (1488-1575) contains the laws for every Jew to master! It is divided into four sections, though it is the first section – Orach Chaim (The Path of Life), that is by far the most important for every single Jew to be familiar with – inside and out! But with 693 chapters of learning to get through, it is by no means an easy task! More than this, in order to truly understand the original text, one needs to learn something more – something even more practical to help in understanding how to fulfil the laws – some 500 years later. The Chofetz Chaim – Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan (1839-1933) authored the most authoritative commentary on this first section of Shulchan Aruch – calling it the Mishna Berura or "Clear Teaching." Through learning the Mishna Berura one truly gets to grips with the first section of the Shulchan Aruch, and one learns how to conduct one's days on a day to day basis as every Jew should.

There is no excuse for anybody. Every Jew is required to work through these laws and to become totally fluent in them. Of course, knowing 693 chapters of law can certainly make one an authority of sorts! We could all leave the work of learning to the Poskim – the Halachic deciders. Alternatively we could get stuck into it ourselves, spending time each day, until we master the material on our own.

But where do we begin?! Programs of all sorts have sprouted up, and it has become easier than ever to learn the Mishna Berura today. In fact, you can find timetables to help you master the contents of the Mishna Berura in just one year! Then there are two other beautiful programs available. Would you believe that if you learned just one page (2 sides) of the Mishna Berura a day, you could complete the entire 693 chapters in just 2.5 years? And if this is too difficult, why not consider one of the most wonderful programs available – the Amud Yomi – just one side of a page of Mishna Berura a day. It will take 5 years to work through, but considering the effort you'll be putting in – for just one side of a page a day – you can become a walking encyclopaedia on the first section of the Shulchan Aruch in just this small amount of time! What's wonderful about this project is that if you follow the timetable set up, you will end up learning the laws applicable to each festival at the correct time, and then going back to the ordinary day to day learning when the festival is over.

It's a great program. I highly endorse it to anyone keen enough to want to engage in learning Halacha – Jewish law – seriously. You won't regret it! Of course, if you feel you'd like to work through it, but lack the necessary learning skills, you are always welcome to set up a one-on-one learning session with Rav Eliyahu and work through the Amud each day using Skype. The great thing is that you can accomplish an Amud within just 15-30 minutes a day!

So think of that! For just some 15-30 minutes a day, you'll get to understand the most basic Jewish laws applicable to every single Jew – in a period of just 5 years. You'll be an expert, and everyone will be asking *you* the right way to behave as a Jew!

If you're serious, I highly encourage you to take a look at http://mishneberurayomis.org. Spend some time navigating the site and seeing how it works, and of course, don't forget to ask them to send you a free timetable for the 5 year learning schedule. It's a truly beautiful publication and a pleasure to work with. You'll be able to keep track of your progress, and as the days go by, you'll be excited to see just how much you're accomplishing. There's a short 5 minute insight Shiur in audio that is sent every day to help you master the material… all for free!

If you still don't come right in learning Halacha, and are in need of assistance, contact Rav Eliyahu directly, and set up a serious learning program. Go for it… 5 years, 2.5 years, or even one year! You can make it happen – this year… You can make it happen – TODAY!